Current Projects
The San Miguel River
One of the last free-flowing rivers in the West, the San Miguel is experiencing increasing threats from drought conditions that are becoming the norm, the mining industry, and potential development.We watch over water quantity and quality on the San Miguel. We look for river health threats such as tailing from mines, legislation that threatens the status of rivers, and local pollution.
We are board members of the San Miguel Watershed Coalition and helped to publish the 2021 State of the Watershed Report
We continue our efforts to protect the San Miguel River by opposing outdated dam projects, holding polluters responsible for mine cleanup, and encouraging stewardship and appreciation of the San Miguel. Read the press release about our recent settlement with the San Miguel Water Conservancy District to cancellation of most of the water rights in order to preserve the health of the San Miguel River and provide some water rights for potential future use by the Town of Norwood and Wrights Mesa and/or to further augment the San Miguel River.
Dolores River
The Dolores River flows from the high alpine peaks above Lizard Head Pass, into deep Ponderosa pine canyons, and through Paradox Valley, where it joins with the San Miguel River. SMA is involved in protecting the Dolores River, its unique geographical characteristics, and the diverse landscape values it provides.
In July 2022, a decade’s worth of stakeholder collaboration came together when Senator Michael Bennett introduced the Dolores National Conservation Area (NCA). This piece of legislation would permanently protect the beautiful and unique Dolores Canyon Country; the plants and animals who call it home, and the abundant and important cultural artifacts of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) and Diné Bikéyah (Navajo) peoples.